LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A local food pantry struggling to keep the shelves stocked will soon see some help from a big corporate donor.The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on south Preston Street has been open from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays since July. When organizers opened it in July, they anticipated serving about 60 families per month, but ended up serving closer to 300 every month. We spoke to some of the people who use the food pantry on Tuesday. Many of them say they have jobs, but aren’t earning enough to make ends meet.
The food pantry operates outside of the norm, because it allows families to come in and “shop” for the foods they want, rather than just handing them a box of canned goods. Organizers say it’s a way for those in need to leave with a sense of dignity and allows the food pantry to maximize its resources.
Pictured: SVDP Board member Scott Haner is interviewed by WDRB’s Gil Corsey. Photo by svdp.
On Wednesday, Walmart and Dare to Care are set to present a $5,000 check to the program. For people who depend on help from the food bank, it’s coming at just the right time.
“It helps me make it through the whole week,” said Bryan Philpott. “You can come up here anytime and get produce — it keeps you going.”
Ed Wnorowski, St. Vincent de Paul’s executive director, says “the need is really endless. I hate to put it in those terms but the place needs to be restocked. Right now the critical need is meat, protein-type items. We’re really short on that. We’re fairly good in the short term on canned goods, but meat’s definitely a need.”
St. Vincent de Paul partnered with Dare to Care to compete in Walmart’s “Fight Hunger Spark Change” campaign online. Its one of 50 organizations receiving benefits to bolster the mission to help the needy.
Anyone who wants to help can call (502) 301-8695 or (502) 301-8682. Donations can be sent by mail to 1015-C South Preston Street, Louisville, Ky 40203.
Share this:
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Leave a Reply